Submit an Academic Petition or Appeal

Appeal Number: 7909
Decision Date: July 6, 2021
Associate Dean: Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Student Name: Trevor Sokolowski
Student Email: 16ts51@queensu.ca

Course: GPHY 310
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GPHY 336
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Drop a course after the academic deadline

Course: GEOL 200
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. James

Course: PSYC 205
Term: Fall
Year: 2019
Category: Request credit (CR) standing in a course or courses
Instructor: Dr. Kulmeier


Dear Trevor Sokolowski:

I was sorry to read in your letter of appeal the challenges you were experiencing during Fall term 2019 and I have carefully considered your appeal to drop GPHY 310 and GPHY 326 (F 2019) past the academic deadline, as well as receive Credit standing in GEOL 200 and PSYC 205 (F 2019). After reviewing your file, I have decided to grant your request. Your grades in GEOL 200 and PSYC 205 will appear on your transcript as CR.

I have granted this appeal based on the input we received from your instructors as well as the heartfelt letter submitted by your brother, but most importantly I reviewed your academic progress in the past year and was pleased to see such a turn around.

Trevor, I need to warn you however that the appeals process is not meant to be used to manage ongoing challenges. The Appeal process is designed for students who encounter problems, or whose problems become acute, after the drop deadline. Instead, I encourage you to reach out to our Student Wellness Services if you would find support from a Counsellor helpful. You may also want to consider taking a lighter course load and you should ensure that you pause and evaluate your progress in your courses prior to week 8 of each term during the academic year and drop courses which are affected by extenuating circumstances. Let me also advise you of the Academic Consideration service where a student can request short term accommodations if you require leeway with assignment due dates. Here is the link for information about that process:

https://www.queensu.ca/artsci/undergrad-students/academic-consideration-for-students

Note that any change in academic registration may impact government or private-firm student financial assistance eligibility and/or funding. Please consult with the Student Awards Office, Office of the University Registrar, Gordon Hall, to understand the potential implications of changes to course or program registration and/or the consequences of not successfully completing the required course load.

Best of luck with your degree progression.

Yours sincerely,


Jenn Stephenson, Ph.D.
Associate Dean (Academic)

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